Part 28: Okabe Rintarou receives a fortuitous windfall

"What's this all of a sudden?"

Assistant is standing in front of Yanagibayashi Shrine for some reason. She glares at me with a sour look.

"What was with that phone call?"

"I just wanted your whereabouts. Since you said you were coming here, I came."

"Nobody called you, though."

"I don't remember being called, either."



"It's not like I came because I wanted to meet you. Don't get me wrong."

She just keeps those abusive words coming.

"What you said yesterday as we split up got on my mind."

"Which part?"

"The IBN 5100. And SERN."

"So you weren't an Organization spy, but a SERN spy?! You came to kill me, didn't you?! That's what I thought! You have the face of a killer!"

"What's this about my face? How rude!"
"Can you calm down a bit? You're always screwing around. You really don't look like you're older than I am."



"I don't get any of that idle talk at all."

"You come to pick a fight?"

"I'm just interested in how the IBN 5100 and SERN are related."

"Don't you mean you're more interested in SERN's time machine research? Be honest."

"Sh-Shut up. I'm not interested in time machines at all. More importantly, did you find an IBN 5100?"

"I came here to check that."

Kurisu looks up to Yanagibayashi Shrine's small torii.

"At the shrine?"

"Correct."

Then, with perfect timing, a beautiful girl -- er, beautiful boy -- dressed in miko garb appears from the nearby shrine office, holding a bamboo broom.



"...Rukako, why don't you have it?"

"Eh, umm, are you talking about Demon Sword Samidare?"

"I thought I told you to carry it at all times!"

"I'm sorry, but it gets in the way when I'm cleaning, so..."

"What are you going to do when you get attacked while you're cleaning? Nobody's going to come to your rescue, you know."

"That's true... I'll be more careful from now on."

"Hey, what are you two talking about?"

Finally noticing Kurisu's presence, Rukako looks at me with a puzzled expression.

"Eh, um... who might this be...?"

"Assistant."

"No! Wait, what's with that vague introduction?!"

"I only told the truth, Cristina."

"She's n-n-not Japanese...?"

"I am Japanese."







"Wait! Introduce me! Properly!"

"You want to be introduced? Properly?"

"It's unnatural not to be introduced in this situation."

"I didn't come here to introduce you to Rukako!"

"An introduction wouldn't take more than 10 seconds, yet you keep refusing?"

"Um... fighting is..."

Rukako's flustered. Looks like he's misunderstanding our fight.

"Yes, whatever. Assistant, whatever."

"Nice to meet you, Makise. I-I'm Urushibara Ruka."

"Nice meeting you. How old are you?"

"17 this year."

"A year below me, huh."

"Eh, is that so? Makise, you're so adult-like, you don't seem just a year older..."

"In other words, you look old."

She glares at me.

"No, that's not it, um, I mean you're very beautiful...!"

"Thanks. I think you're very cute."



If she were to learn the truth, she might go back to America from the shock.

"Are we done with the dumb diplomacy?"

"I'm sick of your complaining."

"Then, Rukako, I want to talk with your father. Can you call him for me?"

"Yes, I can, but... you need to talk to my father about...?"

"Serious business, critical for the future of mankind."

"The future...!"

"Of mankind?"

"I-I'll call him right away!"



That kid believes just about everything I say. Unlike the rebellious Assistant, he's actually really easy to talk to.

"Kshh!"
"Oh no, did I catch a cold...?"

Kurisu's too busy sniffling to scold me. Rukako's father soon appears. As for Rukako, he's pretty flustered, so he nearly drags him out to the grounds.

"Father, quickly, quickly...!"



"But, the future of mankind depends on it..."

"Oh, is that so. That sure is serious."

I've met this father several times before. He's a gentle, respectable adult, with the exception of how he raised Rukako wrong. This father dotes upon his son. It seems like Rukako wears miko garb when helping with shrine duties because of his father's request. Maybe he's a pervert. No, I don't meen to mock the Shinto priesthood at all.

(Unfortunately, this game's treatment of gender issues isn't exactly the most progressive.)

"Ah, Hououin. It’s been a while. Thank you for always taking care of Ruka."

"No, the honor is mine."

"His name isn't Hououin, its Okabe."

"Eh, is that so?"



"Didn't I just say the truth?"

Tch, just what did she come here for?

"Ruka told me that he was Hououin, so I completely believed it, but, hmm, maybe Ruka was just playing a trick on me. Hahaha."

"Ah, father, th-that's not it, Okabe is his real name, and the Hououin name is, umm..."

"I am Hououin."

"Okabe Rintarou was the name your parents gave to you, right? Are you denying that?"

"Just be quiet, The Zombie!"

"Who's The Zombie?!"

"Hahaha, it's great that you all get along."

Ruka's dad looks at Kurisu.

"Are you one of Ruka's friends too? Please get along with Ruka from now on, too."

"Eh, I'm..."

"Because this child is very delicate, as you can see."

"F-Father, stop it..."



What's wrong? Is it that much of a bother to be called Rukako's friend when she's not?

Noticing my glance, Kurisu quickly turns away.

"So, Hououin, did you need me for something?"

That's right. This isn't the time for carefree chatter. This is a decisive event for the crusade! The future of mankind is, well, whatever. For I am a mad scientist, not a hero of any sort.

I explain to Ruka's dad about how I absolutely need the precious PC, the IBN 5100, no matter what. On top of that, I ask him if that retro PC is dedicated here in Yanagibayashi Shrine.





"I don't know if 'dedicated' is the right word to use... but there certainly is an old computer entrusted to this shrine about 9 years ago."

I become speechless. No way, really...?

"That's it! No doubt about it!"

"Please wait for a while. I'll go get it now."



His face is bright red as he carries a large cardboard box. His gait is fairly unsteady. I wonder if he'll be okay.

"Whew, it was hard to look for it, I think this is probably it."

Ruka's dad places the box on the ground, taking a deep breath as he rubs his back. Is it that heavy?

I thank him and take a look inside.



Contained inside is a simple computer with an integrated monitor. I say monitor, but it's only about as big as a car GPS screen.

I compare it with the IBN image I got from Masseuse. It looks very similar.

"Ah, please look here."

Rukako points to the logo placed between the tape drive and the monitor. It clearly says "IBN 5100 Portable Computer".



This very computer is the phantom PC of Akiba! It's in favorable condition. There's only a thin layer of dust on it. It looks like we need to plug it in to test if it works or not.

Now, the problem is whether Ruka's dad will lend it to me or not.

"Urushibara. I'd like to ask bluntly. Could I borrow this computer?"

"You may."

"That easily?!"

Is it okay for a priest to lend dedicated objects to other people? I've never heard anything like that. I was expecting that he'd refuse.

"When this was entrusted to us, the owner said this:"
"If a young person appears saying they need the computer no matter what, you may at that time gladly lend it to them.
I didn't think one would actually appear like this. Actually, I forgot about it until those rumors started popping up."
"Therefore, let's lend it to Hououin. However, once you're done, please be sure to return it, okay?"

"Yes, thank you very much!"



Heheheh, I can't stop laughing. Things are going so swimmingly. It's almost like things are being prepared for me. With this, SERN's hidden secrets are fully exposed. We can expose their wicked research, and possibly even gather hints on the creation of a time machine. Then I can complete the first time machine in history before them!

With that said, now I have to bring the IBN 5100 back to the lab. Unfortunately, I don't have a car to transport it. In fact, I don't even have a license. Assistant is the same.





"What, there a problem? Over there, I've been doing nothing but research."

"You're wasting your youth away."

"I don't think that when I look at you. I think I'm spending mine more usefully."

Damn Assistant. Touche.

"Uh, umm, its not good to fight..."

Rukako's flustered again.

"Rukako, you were a lifesaver today. Thank your father again for me."

Ruka's dad had already returned to the shrine office. Rukako nods at my words.

"Your father sure is a lovely man."

"Eh..."

Rukako and I freeze at Assistant's nonchalant words.



"Huh?"

"I see, Assistant. So you like older men, huh."

"Hey, wait! Don't misunderstand, you two. That's not what I meant!"

"I-I won't give up my father...

"P-Please don't cry... What I meant was that you and your father get along, so I was jealous. That's all I meant."

"Eh, ah, is that so... I'm sorry for the weird misunderstanding...! I did something so rude...!"

"So don't cry. We resolved the misunderstand, so it's all okay."

"But in the depths of your heart are feelings for Ruka's dad."

"There aren't any."

Cristina turns away. I stop myself since angering her any further could lead to violence.

"Rukako, don't forget your practice swinging with Samidare."

"I-I'll do my best... umm, El Psy Congaly..."

"It's Congroo! Don't forget it."

"I-I'm sorry..."

"It's terrible to bully girls, don't you think?"

No, I don't think that.